Controlling apparatus for oil burners



Nov. 22, 1932. J. N. MACRAE ET AL 1,333,602

- CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR on. Bununns Filed Aug. 13, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS.

Nov 22, 1932. J. N. MACRAE ET AL 4 CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR OIL BURNERS 4 sheet -shat Filed Aug. 13. 1929 INVENTORS- W \I\\\\\\\\\&

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Nov. 22, 1932. J. N. MACRAE ET AL CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Aug. 13. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 22, 1932. 4. N; MACRAE' ET AL 1,888,602

' CONTROLLING APPARATUS FUR OI L BURNERS I 5854; may" 52/ Z90; H n 5 1 :1 w"??? 15741145111334 lam/5,349

Q 7/ mmvronfi ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 22, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES N. MACRAE D CALVIN 1. PACKARD, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNORS TO PETROLEUM HEAT AND POWER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y. A CORPORATION or DELAWARE CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR OIL Application filed August 13, 1929. Serial No. 385,818.

10 provision of controlling mechanism for oil burning apparatus in which the combustioncontrolled switch employed therein must be opened before programor operati'on begins and in which on power failure for any reason the circuits of the control are ready to start operation again when the power returns to the line providing the combustion-controlled switch is open. p p

A further object of our invention isthe provision of a control system for oil burning apparatus in which an intermittently oper: at-ed cycling motor is employed and wherein should a break occur in the boiler control switch or the temperature control switch after program starts the control system will proceed to ignition fai ure position where manual reset is necessary. This is of advantage in that should the room thermostat or boiler control switch be opened for any reason after start of program the motor switch and ignition switch will not be leftin on position which would allow these units to stay on until thecircuit is again made, at which time the cycle would continue from this point.

A further object of our invention is the provision of a control system in which on power failure of only a few seconds themain motor tube cannot-be closed again until program has proceeded to starting position, inasmuchas 'the main motor switch is cam operated only.

A st ll further object of our invention is the provision of a control system in which bastion-controlled switch is closed, the ign'ter assembly being withdrawn to 1nopera-. tive position with respect to the burner nozzle. This prevents faulty ignition and is 5 useful in connectlon wlth those devices 111 ,switchwill open and cannot be closed again ignition is immediately cut off when the comwhich wire elements are used for the igniter element. In our apparatus, once the combustion-controlled switch excites the solenof d controlling the ignition element the ignition until the cycling motor has returned to aposition whereby the cam driven thereby will lift the ignition switch to close it.

In the drawings y Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of. Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; A 65 Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 2; while Figs. 5 to 13, inclusive, are wiring diagrams showingvarious positions of the circuit controlling switches at different stages of operation of our improved apparatus. I

Referring tothe drawings in detail, and first of all to Figs. lto 4, inclusive, our improved apparatus comprises abox or con-' tainer designated 1 in which are mounted all 7 .of the various parts of our improved apparatus with the exception of the igniter mechanism-and a part ofthe control therefor.

Mounted in suitable bearings at the side of the box 1 is a cycling motor 2 provided with an armature shaft 3 carrying a pinion 4. '5 designates a shaft extending transversely of the box 1 and lying beneath the armature shaft'3 of the cycling motor 2. 6 designates a cam shaft extending transversely of the box 1 and having a bearing therein at each end of the shaft, and mounted to one side of. the shaft 5. 7 designates a shaft on the other side of the shaft 5 extending parallel therewith and also having a bearing in one side of the box 1 and at its other or adjacent its inner, end

in a member 8 within'the box and extending vertically thereof.

The shaft 5 carries a large gear 9 and a pinion 10 integral with-each other,'the gear 9 being in mesh with the pinion 4 fast on the motorarmature' shaft. The haft 6 carries a large gear 11 and a pinion 12 integral with each other and loose on the shaft, the gear '11 meshing with the pinion 10. The shaft trol a blower or main motor switch 31. The

pinion 14 loose on the, shaft, the ear 13 being in mesh with the pinion 12 on s aft 6, while the pinion 14 meshes with another large gear 15 loose on shaft 6, which gear is integral or rigid with a pinion 16 also loose on the same shaft. This pinion 16 meshes with another large gear 17 loose on shaft 5 which is integral with or rigid with a pinion 18 on the same shaft, this pinion meshing with a large gear 19 fast on shaft 6. The pinion 18 also meshes with a large gear 20 on the shaft 7. The shaft 7 where it projects through the vertically extending bearing member 8 within the box 1 is provided with a gear 21 in constant mesh with a gear 22 mounted on a shaft 23 which projects through the side of the box 1 as seen in Fig. 2.

The gear train above described provides and 23 with the necessary gear reduction.

Mountedon the shaft 6 are a series of three cams designated 24, and 26. The cam 24 is adapted to control a double pole switch 27, the cam 25 to control a maintaining switch 28 and the cam 26 to control an ignition switch 29, as will be explained hereinafter.

On the shaft 7 is a cam 30 adapted to condouble pole switch 27 which, as above mentioned is controlled by the cam'24, is in the form of a mercury tube switch as shown in Fig. 1 and as is ilsual with suchtype of switches is mounted in a holder 32 pivoted on a rod 33 extending transversely of the box 1. The switch 28 which as above mentioned is controlled by the cam 25 is a single pole switch and is mounted in a holder 34 also pivotally mounted on the rod 33. The ignition switch 29 which as above mentioned is controlled b the cam 26 is of the mercury tube type an is mounted on a holder 35 which is also ivotally mounted on the rod 33. The switch 31 controlled by the cam 30 is also of the mercury tube type and is mountwith a pin 41-adapted to cooperate with a:

rod 42 which is connected at one end throu h members 43 and 44 with the core 45 of a so enoid 46 and at the other end with the shaft 39 and through mount 40' with a mercury switch 40. This connection is such that when the solenoid 46 is excited the member 42 will be moved upwardly to rock the member 38 clockwise about its pivot 89.

a drive-from the motor 2 for the shafts 6, 7

ed on a holder 36 which is pivoted on a rod.

The member 38 also is provided with a cam face 47 adapted to cooperate with a pin '48 carried on the face of the gear 21.

At the side of the pivot 39 opposite to the in 41 the member 38 is provided with a lockmg lug 49 and this lug under certain conditions, as will be pointed out hereinafter, is adapted to cooperate with a nose or extension on the holder 35 for the ignition switch 29. This nose or extension which is designated 50, is pivoted at 50'. S designates a spring adapted to hold the nose or extension against a'stop S. v

The member 44 which is carried by the core 45 of solenoid 46 extends lengthwise of the box 1 and is provided adjacent its outer end with a latching lug 51. This lug as will appear hereinafter is adapted to cooperate with a pin 52 which is provided on an extension of the holder 36 for the main motor switch 31.-

As above mentioned, the shaft'23 which carries the gear 22 projects through the rear of the box 1 and this projecting end of the shaft has secured to it an arm 53 which is best seen in Fig. 4 and this arm carries a roller 54. To one side of therear wall of the box 1 is ?mounted igniter mechanism designat'ed 55 as a whole, this mechansim being of the type which is adapted to be moved into and out of firing position. The igniter element is designated 56 and is attached in suit ,able fashion to a frame 57. The frame 57 is so disposed relatively to the arm 53 and roller 54 that the latter engages a vertical extenslon 58 of the frame and in operation the frame will be driven by the. arm 5 3 to the right,

as viewed in Fig. 4, to the dotted line position shown therein and after the arm 53 has moved to such position the roller 54 will no, longer engage the frame but the frame w1ll be retracted under certain conditions to its origi-. nal position by springs 59. Above the frame is mounted a latch arm 60 pivoted on a rod 61' and provided with a latching finger 62.

Lying beneath this arm at all times is a pin- 63 carried by the core 45 of the solenoid 46. The latching member 60 is so arranged that when the frame 57 of the igniter mechanism is moved to its inward or operative position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the finger 62 will drop down behind the frame and prevent, the same from moving back to its original position under the impulse of the springs 59. The pin 63, which as above mentioned is carried by the core 45 of the solenoid 46, will when the-solenoid is excited raise the latching member 60 out of latching position, thereby to permit the igniter frame to return to its initial position, i. e., the full ine position of Fig. 4. v

This pr ctically covers themechanical side, that is, the mechanism construction of our. improved apparatus except for a device shown in Fig. 2 which is a resetting device and comprises an arm 64mounted in a bearing 65 within thebox 1 and projecting through the front wall of the box where it is provided with an operating handle 66. This arm has a portion extending inwardly toward the mount 32 for the double pole switch 27., and when the arm 66 is operated clockwise,- as

. viewed in Fig. 2, the inwardly extending portion 67 of the rod 64 will engage a projection. 68 on the mount 32 so as to raise the right hand end of the tube 27, the mount 32 being slotted as shown at 69 to permit of such operation.

Referring now to the wiring diagrams and first of all to Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10 and 11, 70 designates the main motor. or blower motor of the apparatus, 89 a comblistion-controiled switch, that is to say, a switch which is adapted to be closed after combustion takes place, while 72 and 73 designate, respectively, a boiler thermostat and room thermostat.

The position of the switches 27, 28, 29, 31 and 40 in Fig. 5 corresponds to the position of the switches as shown in the mechanical figures of the drawings. 7 In other words the apparatus is in position to operate when the room thermostat 73 calls for heat. At

this time, i. e., with the room thermostat inopen position, the switches 29, 31 and 28 are in open position while the doublepole switch 27 and switch 40 are in closed position as shown.

Assuming now that the room thermostat 73 calls for heat a circuit is innnediately closed to the cycling motor 2, which circuit may be traced as follows: From on: sFd': of the line by-way of conductors 74, 75, 76, boiler thermostat- 72, room thermostat 73, conductors 7 7 78, contacts of mercury switch 40 which as will be seen from Fig. 3 are at this time-in closed position. conductor 79, contacts of double pole switch 27, conductor 80, motor 2, conductors 81, 82, 83 to the other side of the-line.

The circuit of cycling motor 2 now being closed the same will drive the cam shaf s 6, 7 in the direction of the arrows on Fig. 1, to

' move the cam 25, which controls the main the first circuit traced for this motor and will be termed a maintainingcircuit. This cir-' cuit'may be'traced from one sideof theline by way of conductors 74, 75,7 6, 84, switch 28, conductor 85, motor 2, conductors 81, 82 and 83 to the other side of the line.

Continued operation of the cycling motor 2 effects, through the cam 30, a closure of the main motor Switch 31 as shownon Fig.1. This circuit may be traced by way of conductors 74, 75, 86, switch- 31, conductor 87, main motor 70, conductors 82 and 83 to the other side of the line.

This operation of the cam 30, as will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1, raises the righthaud end of the tube 31 to pivot the upper part of the mount 36 of this tube to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, to carry the pin 52 which is on this'mount to the left of the lug 51 on the member 44'which, as above de-- scribed, is carried by the core 45 of the solenoid 46, so that should this solenoid 46 be excited the lug 51 will be moved upwardly to the right hand side of the pin '52 and,

thereby prevent opening of the switch 31 cycling motor 2, carried the igniter element 56 into firing position and the igniter is locked in this position by the latching member 60, the finger 62 of which has dropped behind the frame of the igniter. This condition is illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

We now have a condition, therefore, where a circuit is still closed to the cycling motor 2, to the blower motor 70 and a circuit has been established for the igniter element 56. This latter circuit may be traced by way of conductors 74, 88, switch 29, igniter element 56 and conductor 83 to the other side of the line. It will be noted that the tipping of the double pole switch 27 from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 8 does not open the circuit of the cycling motor 2,

another circuit, to wit, that traced in connection with Fig. 6'havin g previously been closed to this motor, this circuit being independent of the double pole switch. Consequently the cycling motor willcontinue to rotate.

Assuming that combustion takes pl'acelthe cycling motor 2 and blower ormain motor 70 will continue to rotate. With combustiontaking place the thermostatic switch 89 which is adapted to control the Winding of the solenoid 46 will close due to combustion of the fuel and a circuit will be closed to the wind: ing of the solenoid 46 which circuit may be traced by way of conductors. 74, 75, 7,6, switches.72, 73, conductors 77, '90, switch 89,

winding of the solenoid 46, conductors 91, S1,

82, 83=to the other side of the line.

The energizing of the solenoid 46 will cause the solenoid to raise its core 45 into position to bring lug 51 in front of the pin 52 carried so as to prevent by the mount of the blower motor switch 31 movement of the blower motor switch toopen position until the solenoid 46 has been again deenergized. The energizing of the solenoid 46 also effects an opening of the switch 40, and movement of the member 38 to position, whereby the ignition switch 29 which has previously been held closed by the engagement of the nose 50 with the lug 49 on the mount 38 drops to open position. a

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that energizing of the solenoid 46 to raise its armature 45 will draw the rod 42 attached to the armature upwardly and engagement of this rod with the pin 41 on the locking member 38 will rock this member clockwise about its pivot 39 so as to swing the lug 49, carried thereby in an arc and from beneath the nose 50 on the mount 35 for the ignition switch. As long as the solenoid 46 remains excited the switch 40 of course will remain open and the ignition switch 29 re- I mains open until its cam 26, the nexttime the line.

the cycling motor 2 is operated, raises theswitch 29 to closed position.

, The cycling motor 2 is still running and at this time will have moved the cam 25 into position to shift the switch 28 from, the position shown in Fig. 9 to that shown in Fig. 10

which opens one of the circuits to the cycling motor. However, in the meantime another circuit has been closed to the cycling motor which may be traced by way of conductors 74, 75, 86, switch 31, conductors 87, 92, double pole; switch 27, conductors 93, 94, motor 2, conductors 81, 82, and 83 to the other side of Continued rotation of the cycling motor 2 will cause cam 24 to tip the switch 27 from the position shown in Fig. 10 to that shown in Fig. 11, thereby opening the circuit just traced of the cycling motor. The room thermostat 73 it is to be understood is still calling for heat and will continue to call for heat until the temperature of the room in which the thermostat is located has been brought up sufliciently. Consequently the I circuit previously traced for the winding of the solenoid 46 is still closed, the thermostatic switch 89 still being closed and as aconsequence the blower motor switch 31 is held closed as previously explained due to the fact that the pin 52 lies behind the lug,51 attached to the armature 45 of the solenoid. We are assured, therefore, of a closed circuit to the motor 70 and referring to Fig. 11 the circuit to this motor may be traced by way of conductors, 74, 7 5, 86, switch 31, conductor 87,

motor 70, conductors 82, 83 to the other side of the line. The circuit for the wi'nding of 'the solenoid 46, althoughithas been pre-.

'viously' traced, is by wayzof conductors 74,

75, 76, switches 72, 73, conductors 77, 90,

switch 89, winding 46, conductors 91, 81, 82

and 83. The cycling motor by this time as above explained has returned to its original position, its circuit has been opened and the motor brought to rest. The ignition switch 29 is open, the switch 31-for the blower motor is in closed position and the thermostatic switch 89 still closed and the winding of the solenoid 46 still energized. This condition will continue to exist until the temperature of the room in which the thermostat 73 is bring the low part of the cam beneath the mount, the tube 31 will rock by gravity to open position, thereby opening the circuit of the blower motor 70.

In other words the blower motor switch 31 will be moved from the position shown in Figlll which is running position'of the apparatus to the position s own in which The deenergizing of the solenoid 46 also effects a movement of the rod 42, mount 40 and tube 40 to closed position ready for the next starting operation.

' is starting position.

All parts are now restored to their original or starting position and the apparatus has ceased functioning. All parts will remain condition has been illustrated in Figs. 12

and 13 to which reference will now be made.

I in this position until the thermostat 73 again calls for heat due to a fall in temperature in the room in which 4 Provislon' must At the instant of ignition failure the parts will have been moved by the cycling motor 2 to the position shown in Fig. 8 so far as the various switches are concerned, and. it

will be appreciated at this time as also illustrated in Fig. 8 that the ignition switch 29 is in closed position and upon reference to Fig. 3 it will be further. appreciated that this switch is held in closed position by the nose 50 on the mount 35 having been raised by IZE) cam 26 so that this nose which by reason of its pivot 50 will slip past the lug-49 on the member 38, and then snap back again under the action of thespring will rest on the lug.

' of ignition failure the pin 48 carried on the 7 opening of this switch- 31 is due to the fact 4 side of the gear 21 will engage the cam face 47 on the member 38, thereby to rock this member clockwise and swing the lug 49 from beneath the nose 50 on the ignition tube mount 35,"and the cam 26 for the tube 29 having moved to a position to carry the high part of the cam from beneath the mount, the

mount canrock about its pivot 33 anti-clockwise to tip the tube 29 and open the switch. This action is similar to the action which takes place after ignition has been initiated, that is to say, after ignition has taken place thermostatic switch 89 closes and the wind ing of the solenoid 46 excited as above-described. Of course it will be appreciated that if ignition does not take place the switch 89 will not be closed and hence this additional mechanism for effecting an opening of the ignition switch will function. In Fig. 12 the ignition switch has been shown opened as distinguished from the closed position of this same switch as illustrated in Fig. 8.

The circuit of the. cycling motor is still closed, even'though ignition has failed andthis motor and also as will be understood a closed circuit to the blower motor 70. The circuit to the cycling motor has been traced above but for clarity may be traced by way of conductors 74, 75, 86, switch 31, conductors 87, 92, double pole switch 27, conductors 93, 94, motor 2, conductors 81, 82 and 83 to the other side of the line. 1

The circuit for the blower motor is by way of conductors 74, 75, 86, switch 31, conductor 87, motor 70, conductors 82 and 83 to the other side of the line. It is necessary of course not only that the circuit to the cycling motor 2 tobe' open under these ignition failure conditions but'the' circuit for the motor as well. These conditions are illustrated in Fig 13 from which it"will be seen that the switch 31 has been tipped from closed to open position and as this switch is in the circuit that ignition did not take place and consequently the solenoid 46 never raised its core to bring the lug 51 behind the pin 52 on the .mount 36 for the tube 31.' Consequently the cam. 30 at this time'being in the position shown in Fig. 1, there is nothing to prevent the tube 31 swingingtoopen position under and hence open thecirposition again.

to tip the double pole switch 27 from the position in which it has been left, to wit, the

position illustrated in Fig. 13 to the position shown in Fig. 5. This is effected by the resetting mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and which has been above described. It will be seen from an inspection of these figures that operation of the handle 66 from the exterior of the box 1 will rock the rod 64 to bringthe switches, etc., are all in position for another operation, provided the resetting mechanism is held in. It will be understood that the resetting mechanism must be held in until the cycling motor has been moved to position when the tube 27 will have assumed the positionof Fig. 5.

From all of the foregoing it will be appreciated that we have provided an improved and novelform of control for oil burning ap paratus in which it will beapparent combustion control must be broken before program or operation begins, that is to, say, the thermostatic switch 89 must be in open position in 7 order that the winding of the solenoid 46 is not excited to move the switch 40 to open position, which would prevent closure of the circuit of the cycling motor 2.

In the event of power failure during operation it will be obvious that the various circuits are in such condition'that when power again returnsto the line, providing combustion control is open, the operation will continue from where it left off when power failed. This is so obvious that it is believed unnecessary to describe such power failure er control or room thermostat would open the circuit. for the winding of the solenoid 46 and the'same would drop its core and consequently the switches .Would then assume the same position as above described in connection with ignition failure. Consequently manual resetting is necessary.

The motor control tube or switch 31; being cam operated it will be appreciated that a power failure of onl a second or two by de-. energizing the win ing of the solenoid 46 will release the tube, that is, allow it to move to open position and the same be'in cam operated to closed position cannot i8 closed again until the cycle has continued to. starting Ignition is immediately cut ofhasabove explained, when combustion control switch 89 excites the winding of the solenoid 46 and as also explained the exciting of this winding with the resultant lifting of the core 45 re- I in which wire elements are used, due to the fact that when current is cut off from such an element it immediately cools and when it is again excited it takes a'few seconds to heat up. During this time taken to heat up poor ignition may result, and the control which we have provided prevents this because once the switch 89 excites the solenoid 46 the ignition tube is trippedand may not be made again until the program cam 26 lifts it.

It will be seen from the foregoing that in our control system it is necessary that the switch 89 which is combustion controlled must be opened before program or operation of our control system can begin.

It will be seen also that inour improved control in the event of power failure the circuits of the control are in position to resume operation when the power comes on the line again, provided, however, that the combustion control switch 89 is open.

If .this switch, however, should stick closed program cannot be resumed.

It will be seen also from the foregoing that should a break occur in the boiler control switch 72 or room thermostat 73 after promoved manually from the position shown in Fig. 13 to the position shown in Fig. 5. I

What we claim is In control apparatus for oil burners, the combination of a program or cycling motor, a blower motor, a switch in the circuit of the blower motor, a cam driven by the cycling motor for closing said switch, a solenoid, a combustion-controlled switch for controlling the circuit of said solenoid, a mechanical connection between the solenoid core and said switch whereby when the solenoid is energized said switch will beheld closed, deener gizing of said solenoidr'ejleasing said blower motor switch to permit the same to move to open position, the said cam being so arran ed with respect to said blower motor switch t at the cam must be moved to starting position to again close the motor switch after deener gizin of said solenoid.

TlllS specification signed this 9th day of August, 1929.

JAMES N. MAORAE. This specification signed this 9th day of August, 1929. A I

. CALVIN P. PACKARD.

manual reset is necessary through the mechanism above described and shown at 67, 68, etc. 1n Fig. 1. Consequently ignition switch 29 and main motor switch 31 will not be left in on position.

It will be seen also that on opening of the room thermostat 73 the blower motor 7 0 will immediately shut down due to the fact that the opening of this switch effects deenergizing of the solenoid 46 and the switch 31 which controls the circuit of the motor will drop to open position.

7 It will be seen, furthermore, from the foregoing that when combustion control switch 89 is closed due to combustion having been initiated the winding of the solenoid 46 is trol switch 72 and roomthermostat 73 must be closed and combustion control switch 89 opened before operation can begin, and it is further necessary that the switch 27 be 

